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Pensacola Soldier Among Two Casualties In Afghanistan
August 27, 2015
An Air Force officer from Pensacola was among two casualties in Afghanistan.
Staff Sgt. Forrest B. Sibley, 31, of Pensacola, and Capt. Matthew D. Roland, 27, of Lexington, KY, died of wounds suffered August 26 when the vehicle they were traveling in was attacked near Camp Antonik, Afghanistan.
They were at a vehicle checkpoint when two individuals wearing Afghan National Defense and Security Forces uniforms opened fire on them. NATO service members returned fire and killed the shooters.
“The losses of Matt and Forrest are a terrible blow to everyone who knew them,” said Col. Wolfe Davidson, 24th Special Operations Wing commander. “These two combat controllers were incredible warriors who not only volunteered to join our nation’s Special Operations Forces, but earned their way to the tip of the spear in defense of our nation.”
Roland was a special tactics officer at the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron here. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2010. Upon completing the rigorous STO training program in 2012, he was a team leader who supervised real-world combat preparedness training of a 35-member team. He deployed three times in his five years of service to multiple locations globally. He is survived by his parents.
Sibley was a combat controller at the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Army Airfield, N.C. He was a four-time Bronze Star medal recipient, once with the valor device, and he deployed four times to sensitive locations around the world in his nearly seven years of service. He is survived by his parents.
Due to their extensive special operations training, both were military qualified static line jumpers, free fall jumpers, combat scuba divers, and qualified in joint terminal attack control.
Special Tactics Airmen integrate, synchronize, control air and space power to enable global access, precision strike and personnel recovery for special operations.
“The risks that these men and their teammates endured in combat and in training are all too well known to the Special Tactics community, but it does not make this great loss any easier to bear,” Davidson said. “We will honor Matt and Forrest for the legacy they left behind, embrace their families as our own, and thank them eternally for their ultimate sacrifice for American freedom.”
Both the 21st STS and 23rd STS fall under the 720th Special Tactics Group, 24th SOW, the only wing solely dedicated to Special Tactics in the Air Force.
Pictured: Staff Sgt. Forrest B. Sibley.
Comments
15 Responses to “Pensacola Soldier Among Two Casualties In Afghanistan”
May God give this family and friends peace and love during thi time. Thank you for such fine and upstanding men1 They are Truely Heros and to be Remembered. Heaven is rejoicing to welcone these great youn men!
Thank you for your service, Rest Easy Brave Warriors. Condolences to the families.
I thank the parents for raising such outstanding Patriots. I pray God comforts you in this time and I thank your two courageous sons for their service to our country. No words will ever help at this time but know that God always has a plan “B” for these outstanding American hero’s and a place of peace for the rest of their spirit life. God is Good and gracious to all who seek him.
Without people like these airmen we would live a totally different life than the free one we have now. Never forget.
Bless these two courageous men. They wore their uniforms with pride. Unfortunately I can’t say the same for those cowardess terrorists. Please God, send the families the love and the support they will need in the days to come. Thank you for your selfless devotion to God and country, this Vet salutes you! Godspeed.
Always Honor, Never Forget.
We are there because of a cowardly attack upon the soil of the United States of America on September 11, 2001.
God Bless ALL Who Serve and Protect abroad and on our streets and cities at home.
America Strong.
I’m so sorry for the loss of this young man. Thanks go to his family for their service to their country by raising such a courageous man. God bless those that loved him, and that he loved
My sentiments are as stated by all within this forum. Thanks is not enough, God bless each of you and give comfort to your families for the ultimate sacrice.
Thank you for the service of your sons! Our prayers go out to the families of these young men and to those still fighting for our country.
God bless you Matt and Forrest. I pray the Lord will wrap his arms around your families and comfort them. Thank you and all the armed forces for your service.
All gave some…some gave all! Thank you for your service gentlemen! Tip of the spear! Prayers go out to their families.
These are true American heroes. Brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will never forget about you. My condolences to the families. Rest in peace young men.
God bless them and a thank you for your sacrifice.
Rest in Peace and thnak you for your service to our country. May God be with your family.
So sad. Condolences to the families. Sounds like they were awesome young men.